Happiness can break your heart too

Happy events can trigger a heart condition known as takotsubo syndrome, according to research published in the European Heart Journal.

Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is known as “broken heart syndrome” and is characterised by a sudden temporary weakening of the heart muscles that causes the left ventricle of the heart to balloon out at the bottom while the neck remains narrow, creating a shape resembling a Japanese octopus trap, from which it gets its name. Since this relatively rare condition was first described in 1990, evidence has suggested that it is typically triggered by episodes of severe emotional distress, such as grief, anger or fear, with patients developing chest pains and breathlessness. It can lead to heart attacks and death.

Now, for the first time, researchers have systematically analysed data from the largest group of patients diagnosed with TTS worldwide, and found that some patients have developed the condition after a happy or joyful event; they have named it “happy heart syndrome”.

Source & further reading:https://www.escardio.org/The-ESC/Press-Office/Press-releases/Last-5-years/happiness-can-break-your-heart-too

Paper:http://eurheartj.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2016/02/19/eurheartj.ehv757